The White Sand Palace stood as the heart of the White Sand Dynasty, its opulence beyond description. Endless pavilions of sculpted sand stretched across the landscape, each guarded by elite cultivators. Even the lowliest maids and eunuchs were Golden Core experts.
In a refined rear garden, vibrant birds and beasts roamed among rare flowers and exotic herbs. At its center, a lavish banquet table overflowed with delicacies: sixth-grade beast meat, ten-thousand-year spirit wine, and rare spirit fruits that tantalized the senses.
Seated around the table were the dynasty's elite—royalty exuding extraordinary presence.
At the head sat a man in a white dragon robe, a violet-gold crown atop his head. His eyes burned like a tiger's, his aura as commanding as a dragon's, radiating dominion over all. This was the White Sand Emperor, ruler of the dynasty. His aura was so restrained he seemed mortal, yet he carried the vastness of a desert, impossible to grasp. None dared meet his gaze.
Yet now, the lofty emperor looked at his little princess, Bai Lian Hua, with doting affection.
Also present were Bai Yang and Bai Lie, three regal consorts, and a man in his thirties who bore a striking resemblance to the emperor. His Late Refining Void aura was as solid as a mountain. This was Bai Tian, the Crown Prince of the White Sand Dynasty.
Unlike his impulsive younger brothers, Bai Tian carried the poise of a true heir, his demeanor calm and noble, echoing the emperor's own charisma. Though not born to the empress, he was the emperor's pride and the uncontested crown prince. At just 600 years old, his Late Refining Void cultivation marked him as a prodigy.
The emperor's favored consort, Lady Yin, mother of Bai Tian, sat among the three consorts. The others were Lady Man, mother of Bai Lie, and Lady Xin, mother of Bai Yang.
The banquet resembled a family gathering, yet one key figure was absent.
"Father, why has Mother been in seclusion so long? She didn't even greet my return," Bai Lian Hua said, her voice tinged with sadness. She missed her mother dearly.
Before the emperor could respond, Lady Yin interjected sharply, "Hmph, that woman is obsessed with cultivation, blind to her own daughter's return!"
"Exactly! His Majesty is so busy, yet she disrespects this rare family gathering," Lady Man and Lady Xin chimed in, their voices dripping with disdain for the empress.
Bai Tian, Bai Lie, and Bai Yang sipped their wine in silence, knowing better than to meddle in such matters.
The entire palace knew the empress was cold and aloof, rarely emerging from seclusion unless matters were critical. Her strained relationship with the consorts often led to verbal sparring.
The White Sand Emperor frowned slightly but didn't reprimand them. Instead, he turned to Bai Lian Hua with a comforting smile. "The empress was injured suppressing the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth with me. She's in seclusion to recover. Don't blame her."
Bai Lian Hua shook her head, her voice soft. "It's my fault. If I'd returned sooner, Mother wouldn't be hurt."
Her kind words tugged at everyone's hearts. Bai Lie and Bai Yang itched to comfort her.
"Haha, thankfully my little princess returned, or your father would've faced quite the struggle," the emperor said, chuckling.
When Bai Lian Hua was born, her cries carried a mystical power, calming hearts, dispelling killing intent, and touching souls. No ancient records explained this gift, leading the dynasty to deem it a blessing from the heavens for their kind princess.
Thanks to her, countless bloody conflicts had been resolved peacefully. Over time, she became a symbol of faith for the dynasty, her renown rivaling even the emperor's.
The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth had grown increasingly volatile. During crises, Bai Lian Hua's soothing voice tamed its wild emotions, allowing the emperor and the dynasty's experts to seal it. This time, as the entity raged to break free, the emperor and empress struggled until Bai Lian Hua's return. Her voice calmed it, enabling the emperor to reseal it alone.
Biting her lip, her platinum hair swaying, Bai Lian Hua spoke softly, "This can't continue. Big Bear has a fierce desire for freedom. One day, even I may not persuade it."
The mighty Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth—called "Big Bear" by Bai Lian Hua like a pet—stirred complex emotions. She knew it had developed sentience, yearning for the outside world. Sealing it felt wrong.
Yet, as a princess, she understood its loss would weaken the dynasty's foundation. The Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth powered the Scenic Land, providing unmatched cultivation conditions for earth cultivators. Its absence would cripple the dynasty.
Caught between duty and compassion, Bai Lian Hua felt tormented, her kind heart heavy with guilt.
"Little sister, the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth fuels the Scenic Land, giving our earth cultivators the best environment. We can't let it go," Bai Lie said, seeing her distress.
"Exactly. Even our core techniques were inspired by it. Its importance is undeniable," Bai Yang added.
They feared her kindness might one day free the entity.
The three consorts nodded vigorously. Losing it would harm their interests—unacceptable.
Bai Lian Hua bit her lip, silent.
"Haa, if only I could subdue it," the emperor sighed, his tone casual but his eyes glinting with hope toward Bai Lian Hua. "It could roam freely with me, conquering the heavens, without needing a seal."
Bai Tian's expression shifted. Every cultivator in the dynasty coveted the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth, himself included. But even the emperor couldn't subdue it without risking severe backlash or death. What chance did he have?
"I'm sorry, Father. I can persuade Big Bear to stay, but I can't make it accept a master," Bai Lian Hua said, her face dimming, her beauty stirring pity.
Disappointment flickered in the emperor's eyes, quickly hidden. He spoke magnanimously, "No matter. It has its own will, which I respect. But the dynasty can't lose it. Enemies eye our lands. I hope you understand my burden, Lian Hua."
"Yes," she replied weakly, sighing inwardly.
Her father was admirable but lacked the boldness to take risks. The dynasty had reaped countless benefits from Big Bear, and it had grown stronger in their ideal environment, gaining human-like intelligence. Both sides owed each other nothing.
She believed that freeing Big Bear, though initially challenging, could push the dynasty to adapt, fostering new growth and strength without reliance on it. Yet no one dared take that gamble, intoxicated by its power, intent on sealing it forever.
As a princess with immense renown, even she couldn't sway the dynasty to release it.
"No… one person shares my view," Bai Lian Hua thought, a spark lighting her eyes. She whispered, "Mother…"
A week later, Lan An emerged from the Duo Bao Pavilion's branch in White Emperor City, slipping into stealth mode.
His visit was simple: to send a message of safety to Saint Spirit Academy via the pavilion's vast network, reassuring Wu San Niang and Qin Meng Ying. With his VIP token, the task was handled swiftly, leaving him free to act.
The night was pitch-black, clouds shrouding the moon and stars. White Emperor City lay silent.
A shadowy figure glided toward the palace's grand gates, guarded by two Refining Void experts. Thanks to the Breath Concealment Robe and Shadow Flight Cloak, Lan An passed through like a ghost.
"The Scenic Land… my target," he murmured, moving like a specter past maids and guards.
The palace's vastness was daunting, its labyrinthine layout a challenge for a newcomer. Lan An relied on Earth Pulse Resonance, feeling the earth's veins to guide him toward the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth.
"Hm? The Royal Library?" His eyes flashed, slowing his pace.
Before him stood a four-story ancient structure, radiating solemn mystery. It housed the dynasty's techniques, skills, and records.
He lingered, tempted to explore, but reason prevailed. Such a place likely held deadly formations. One misstep could be fatal. His mission was the Scenic Land and the Ancient Ferocious Prison Earth, not side adventures.
As he moved to leave—
"Trouble!" Lan An's face paled.
An elderly figure appeared atop the library, his divine sense sweeping like a tidal wave, covering a thousand miles. A white-haired eunuch in robes, barely five feet tall, with a sharp face and an Early Body Unity aura, stood vigilantly.
Lan An froze, holding his breath. This was no ordinary foe.
Whoosh!
A middle-aged man in battle armor appeared, the captain of the palace guards. Bowing, he asked, "Second Elder, what's alarmed you?"
The Second Elder frowned, his voice uncertain. "I sensed eyes on the library, but it seems I was mistaken."
Lan An's heart skipped. Damn, sensing my gaze? I need to be more careful.
Body Unity cultivators were terrifying, their instincts razor-sharp. Despite his Breath Concealment Robe and Shadow Flight Cloak, his stare had triggered the elder's senses.
This was the Second Elder, second only to the Great Elder in strength. The guard captain, a Mid Refining Void cultivator, paled in comparison.
The palace was indeed a dragon's den.
The captain, reassured, said confidently, "Our defenses are airtight. Not even a mosquito could slip through. Please rest easy, Second Elder."
"Humans have tricks mosquitoes don't," the Second Elder replied coolly. His duty was to guard the Royal Library, accessible only to royalty or by the emperor's decree.
"Thank you for the reminder," the captain said respectfully.
"Return to your post," the Second Elder said, vanishing like a phantom.
The captain bowed to the library, then transmitted to all guards, "Heighten vigilance! Coordinate tightly. No one slacks tonight!"